MLB Betting: Royals Home Underdogs to Kluber, Indians

The Indians, fresh off a 17 run outburst yesterday at Texas, head to Kansas City to take on division rivals Royals. The Indians are second in the Central, just two games back of Detroit. Cleveland is 9-1 over its last 10 games and averaging 6.5 runs a game during that streak. The Royals are just 3.5 games behind Detroit, good for third place in the division.

Right-hander Jason Vargas is the scheduled starter for the Royals. He has a 5-2 record in 2014 with a 3.28 ERA. Vargas worked eight strong innings at St. Louis on Wednesday, giving up just two runs on nine hits and two walks. He got a no-decision in an extra-inning loss. In only three of 13 starts has he given up more than two earned runs. Vargas cashed in his third straight quality start for the Royals, bringing his ERA down to 3.28 in the process. The veteran is stranding runners at a higher rate than any other season in his career (82.1 percent), so he’ll be prone for a shaky outing here and there. The Royals, 6-7 in his starts, have gone over 36% of the time in those starts.

His opponent on the mound will be left-hander Corey Kluber. Kluber has a 3.23 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP, and is 6-3 on the season. Kluber allowed four runs on five hits with four strikeouts and two walks in a no-decision against Boston on Wednesday. The righty has gone 4-0 with a 2.55 ERA, 64 strikeouts and 10 walks in his past seven turns. Kluber had given the Indians six straight quality starts prior to Wednesday, but was unable to keep the streak alive. His four strikeouts also represented his lowest total since all the way back on April 19. Despite the minor bump in the road, Kluber owns a 3.23 ERA on the season, and an even more impressive 2.47 FIP. The Indians are 8-5 in games started by him. Forecasts are calling for 68°F temperatures with winds blowing at 9 mph. The humidity will be around 73%. There is a 20% chance of precipitation.